Why I Want To Pursue A Higher Education

It is a well-known fact that higher Education is an important aspect of the oppressed social groups to obtain opportunities and capabilities to compete with the privileged social groups. I belong to a community in India, which was denied access to education and knowledge for a millennium. My educational journey has been supported by affirmative action policy and a few individuals who encouraged, mentored and supported me to pursue a doctoral program. I strongly believe that it is my moral and professional responsibility to contribute back to the society in my personal capacity. Research have demonstrated that education is a force and source of raising consciousness of the oppressed communities to attain development, social justice and social mobility. Learning (education) is never ending process, and a doctoral program is a small step in the same journey. Currently, I am a doctoral student in International Education concentration, the program has played a significant role to enhance my intellectual depth and academic skills to pursue my passion to work with the historically marginalized people.

Higher education has several meanings and purposes in various settings; in the program, I have been exploring different theoretical frameworks and developing skills through critical engagement in research activities. The academic coursework offers diverse learning experience such as education in development, international education and development, social justice in higher education, and higher education as a tool for social transformation. In the doctoral program, conducting research is one of the core skills and learning research methods will develop my research skills and conceptual